Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Abu el Banat

I'm a huge fan of West Wing and always enjoyed an episode where President Bartlet describes a trip he took to Egypt with his wife and three daughters. Their guide kept introducing him to people as "Abu el Banat," and the people always laughed and gave him free tea or snacks. He found out at the end of his trip that it means "Father of Daughters" and is a phrase usually said in joking sympathy because of the challenges that a man with several daughters will face. But I've decided to embrace the phrase: I am Abu el Banat, and I'm very happy about it!

I love having a daughter - Katie is just a daddy's girl! And now I am about to have another little girl - someone whose hair I can brush, whose little pink tennis shoes I can put on, who will look up at me with big eyes and long eyelashes, and who will give me the same feeling of overwhelming happiness that Katie gives me. With all the challenges (and expenses!) that will come from raising two daughters together, I am truly looking forward to spending the rest of my life as Abu el Banat!